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Home ▸ Catalog ▸ |Asian Coins| ▸ |China||View Options:  |  |  |   

Coins of China

The earliest Chinese proto-coins, as early as 770 - 476 B.C., were imitations of the cowrie shells used in ceremonial exchanges. The first metal coins, also introduced in this period, were not initially round; instead, they were knife shaped or spade shaped. Round metal coins with a round hole, and then later a square hole, in the center were first introduced around 350 B.C. The beginning of the Qin Dynasty (221 - 206 B.C.), the first dynasty to unify China, standardized coinage for the whole Empire. At first, coinage was limited to use around the capital city district but by the beginning of the Han Dynasty, coins were widely used for paying taxes, salaries, and fines. Ancient Chinese coins are markedly different from coins produced in the west. Chinese coins were cast in molds, unlike western coins which were typically struck (hammered) or, in later times, milled. Chinese coins were usually made from bronze, brass, or iron. Precious metals like gold and silver were uncommonly used. The alloys of the coin metals varied considerably. Most Chinese coins were produced with a square hole in the middle. At the mint coins were threaded on a square rod so that the rough edges could be filed smooth on a lathe, after which they were threaded on strings for ease of handling. Official coin production was sometimes spread over many mint locations throughout the country. Aside from officially produced coins, private coining was common during many stages of Chinese history. At times private coining was tolerated, sometimes it was illegal. Some coins were produced in very large numbers. During the Western Han, an average of 220 million coins a year were produced. Some other types were of limited circulation and are extremely rare today.

China, Northern Song Dynasty, Emperor Shen Zong, 1067 - 1085 A.D.

|China|, |China,| |Northern| |Song| |Dynasty,| |Emperor| |Shen| |Zong,| |1067| |-| |1085| |A.D.||2| |cash|
Shenzong implemented Wang Anshi's famous reforms aimed at improving life for the peasantry and unemployed. He was initially successful against the Tangut Empire but Shenzong's forces were defeated at the City of Yongle battle of 1082. As a result, the Xixia forces grew more powerful and would be a thorn on the side of the Song dynasty in the ensuing decades.
CH112334. Bronze 2 cash, Gorny NS 27-2.b, Hartill 16.249, Schjoth 556, aVF, weight 8.147 g, maximum diameter 29.4 mm, die axis 0o, 1078 - 1085 A.D.; obverse Yuan Feng tong bao, running script, clockwise; reverse plain; $14.00 (€13.16)
 


China, Northern Song Dynasty, Emperor Ren Zong, 1022 - 1063 A.D.

|China|, |China,| |Northern| |Song| |Dynasty,| |Emperor| |Ren| |Zong,| |1022| |-| |1063| |A.D.||1| |cash|
Ren Zong reigned for about 41 years from 1022 to his death in 1063, and was the longest reigning Song dynasty emperor. His reign marked the high point of Song influences and powers but was also the beginning of its slow disintegration that would persist over the next century and a half. Renzong was considered to be merciful, tolerant, modest, lenient, and frugal, and seldom revealed his feelings on expressions, according to the records of History of Song.
CH112348. Bronze 1 cash, Gorny NS 11.a, Hartill 16.82, Schjoth 489, Fisher 900, VF, blue green patina, light deposits, weight 3.858 g, maximum diameter 25.1 mm, die axis 0o, 1032 - 1033 A.D.; obverse Ming Dao yuan bao, seal script, clockwise; reverse plain; $14.00 (€13.16)
 


China, Northern Song Dynasty, Emperor Shen Zong, 1067 - 1085 A.D.

|China|, |China,| |Northern| |Song| |Dynasty,| |Emperor| |Shen| |Zong,| |1067| |-| |1085| |A.D.||1| |cash|
Shenzong implemented Wang Anshi's famous reforms aimed at improving life for the peasantry and unemployed. He was initially successful against the Tangut Empire but Shenzong's forces were defeated at the City of Yongle battle of 1082. As a result, the Xixia forces grew more powerful and would be a thorn on the side of the Song dynasty in the ensuing decades
CH112344. Bronze 1 cash, Gorny NS 27.b, Hartill 16.236, Schjoth 547, Fisher 963, VF, light dusting of deposits, weight 5.000 g, maximum diameter 25.72 mm, die axis 0o, 1078 - 1085 A.D.; obverse Yuan Feng tong bao, running script, clockwise; reverse plain; $11.00 (€10.34)
 


China, Northern Song Dynasty, Emperor Shen Zong, 1067 - 1085 A.D.

|China|, |China,| |Northern| |Song| |Dynasty,| |Emperor| |Shen| |Zong,| |1067| |-| |1085| |A.D.||1| |cash|
Shenzong implemented Wang Anshi's famous reforms aimed at improving life for the peasantry and unemployed. He was initially successful against the Tangut Empire but Shenzong's forces were defeated at the City of Yongle battle of 1082. As a result, the Xixia forces grew more powerful and would be a thorn on the side of the Song dynasty in the ensuing decades.
CH112345. Bronze 1 cash, Gorny NS 27.a, Hartill 16.210, Schjoth 553, VF, earthen deposits, weight 3.707 g, maximum diameter 25.1 mm, die axis 0o, 1078 - 1085 A.D.; obverse Yuan Feng tong bao, seal script, clockwise, regular characters; reverse plain; $11.00 (€10.34)
 


China, Northern Song Dynasty, Emperor Tai Zong, 976 - 997 A.D.

|China|, |China,| |Northern| |Song| |Dynasty,| |Emperor| |Tai| |Zong,| |976| |-| |997| |A.D.||1| |cash|
Known by his temple name Taizong after his death, Zhao Jiong was the second emperor of the Song dynasty in China. Taizong was a hardworking and diligent emperor, notable for reunifying China by conquering the Northern Han and for caring for the well-being of his people. He personally led the campaign against the North, increased agricultural production, organized encyclopedias, expanded the courts and the examination system, and further limited the military power of the jiedushi. He personally wrote the inscriptions on his coins.Taizong_of_Song
CH112315. Bronze 1 cash, Gorny NS 04a, Hartill 16.35, Schjoth 465, Fisher 872, aVF, light encrustations, weight 4.565 g, maximum diameter 25.2 mm, die axis 0o, 995 - 997 A.D.; obverse Zhi Dao Yuan Bao, regular script, clockwise; reverse plain; $9.00 (€8.46)
 


China, Northern Song Dynasty, Emperor Tai Zong, 976 - 997 A.D.

|China|, |China,| |Northern| |Song| |Dynasty,| |Emperor| |Tai| |Zong,| |976| |-| |997| |A.D.||1| |cash|
Known by his temple name Taizong after his death, Zhao Jiong was the second emperor of the Song dynasty in China. Taizong was a hardworking and diligent emperor, notable for reunifying China by conquering the Northern Han and for caring for the well-being of his people. He personally led the campaign against the North, increased agricultural production, organized encyclopedias, expanded the courts and the examination system, and further limited the military power of the jiedushi. He personally wrote the inscriptions on his coins.Taizong_of_Song
CH112319. Bronze 1 cash, Gorny NS 03.c, Hartill 16.32, Fisher 869, aVF, colorful patina, weight 3.181 g, maximum diameter 24.1 mm, die axis 0o, 990- 994 A.D.; obverse Chun Hua yuan bao, grass script, clockwise, plain; reverse plain; $9.00 (€8.46)
 


China, Northern Song Dynasty, Emperor Tai Zong, 976 - 997 A.D.

|China|, |China,| |Northern| |Song| |Dynasty,| |Emperor| |Tai| |Zong,| |976| |-| |997| |A.D.||1| |cash|
Known by his temple name Taizong after his death, Zhao Jiong was the second emperor of the Song dynasty in China. Taizong was a hardworking and diligent emperor, notable for reunifying China by conquering the Northern Han and for caring for the well-being of his people. He personally led the campaign against the North, increased agricultural production, organized encyclopedias, expanded the courts and the examination system, and further limited the military power of the jiedushi. He personally wrote the inscriptions on his coins.Taizong_of_Song
CH112324. Bronze 1 cash, Gorny NS 03.c, Hartill 16.32, Fisher 869, aVF, light earthen deposits, weight 3.281 g, maximum diameter 25.1 mm, die axis 0o, 990- 994 A.D.; obverse Chun Hua yuan bao, grass script, clockwise, plain; reverse plain; $9.00 (€8.46)
 


China, Northern Song Dynasty, Emperor Tai Zong, 976 - 997 A.D.

|China|, |China,| |Northern| |Song| |Dynasty,| |Emperor| |Tai| |Zong,| |976| |-| |997| |A.D.||1| |cash|
Known by his temple name Taizong after his death, Zhao Jiong was the second emperor of the Song dynasty in China. Taizong was a hardworking and diligent emperor, notable for reunifying China by conquering the Northern Han and for caring for the well-being of his people. He personally led the campaign against the North, increased agricultural production, organized encyclopedias, expanded the courts and the examination system, and further limited the military power of the jiedushi. He personally wrote the inscriptions on his coins.Taizong_of_Song
CH112327. Bronze 1 cash, Gorny NS 03b, Hartill 16.29, Schjoth 464, Fisher 868, aVF, earthen deposits, weight 3.639 g, maximum diameter 24.1 mm, die axis 0o, 990 - 994 A.D.; obverse Chun Hua yuan bao, running script, clockwise; reverse plain; $9.00 (€8.46)
 


China, Northern Song Dynasty, Emperor Tai Zong, 976 - 997 A.D.

|China|, |China,| |Northern| |Song| |Dynasty,| |Emperor| |Tai| |Zong,| |976| |-| |997| |A.D.||1| |cash|
Known by his temple name Taizong after his death, Zhao Jiong was the second emperor of the Song dynasty in China. Taizong was a hardworking and diligent emperor, notable for reunifying China by conquering the Northern Han and for caring for the well-being of his people. He personally led the campaign against the North, increased agricultural production, organized encyclopedias, expanded the courts and the examination system, and further limited the military power of the jiedushi. He personally wrote the inscriptions on his coins.Taizong_of_Song
CH112342. Bronze 1 cash, Gorny NS 04b, Hartill 16.37, Schjoth 467, Fisher 873, aVF, light green and blue patina, weight 4.331 g, maximum diameter 25.32 mm, die axis 0o, 995 - 997 A.D.; obverse Zhi Dao yuan bao, running script, clockwise; reverse plain; $9.00 (€8.46)
 


China, Northern Song Dynasty, Emperor Shen Zong, 1067 - 1085 A.D.

|China|, |China,| |Northern| |Song| |Dynasty,| |Emperor| |Shen| |Zong,| |1067| |-| |1085| |A.D.||2| |cash|
Shenzong implemented Wang Anshi's famous reforms aimed at improving life for the peasantry and unemployed. He was initially successful against the Tangut Empire but Shenzong's forces were defeated at the City of Yongle battle of 1082. As a result, the Xixia forces grew more powerful and would be a thorn on the side of the Song dynasty in the ensuing decades.
CH112436. Bronze 2 cash, Gorny NS 27-2.a, Hartill 16.224, Schjoth 553, aF, light deposits, edge crack, weight 8.489 g, maximum diameter 29.4 mm, die axis 0o, 1078 - 1085 A.D.; obverse Yuan Feng tong bao, seal script, clockwise, round bao; reverse plain; $7.00 (€6.58)
 




  



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REFERENCES

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